In order to quell public outcry, the planning and promotion bureau under the preservation office of Xi'an Daming Palace Heritage Park said in a statement Thursday that "during the construction of the heritage park, we got official guidelines to help the Daming Palace Heritage site better meet world cultural heritage demands."

An artistic rendering of Xi'an Daming Palace National Heritage Park.

A staff member with the preservation office, who declined to be named, told the Global Times that the archaeological value of the venues of the three sites was not that high, according to an earlier evaluation.

She said the construction project was reviewed when it became known that the park could be submitted for recognition as a World Cultural Heritage site.

"Any change during the construction process is understandable, since it is aimed at better displaying the cultural connotation of the heritage," the bureau said.

According to the statement, the Xi'an Daming Palace Great Heritage Preservation Project is an important component of the "Silk Road" Heritage Project, which the local government plans to submit for UNESCO world heritage status.

"The management's practice is understandable since one of the key requirements to apply for the World Cultural Heritage is to maintain the site's authenticity and integrity," Sun Keqin, a professor with the China University of Geosciences, told the Global Times.